Banburycross

Hi

My boyfriend and I are looking into moving to Spain (we hope to buy a place in Benidorm area).

I am wondering how easy it is to get a job in a cafe/hotel part time in the Benidorm area. Neither of us speak much Spanish at the moment but we are planning to learn.

We have visited a few times and noticed that alot of the cafes and hotels in Benidorm cater very much for the English and thought that maybe, English speaking employees could be an advantage!!! Maybe we are being naive though.

I would appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks

Wendy

Lionda

I live in the Benidorm area...people who have lived here for years are struggling for jobs. Work is thin on the ground. Benidorm is very, very quiet at the moment and singers, dj's, bar workers, cafe workers are all struggling to find jobs. If you are depending on finding work to make a living then forget it....unless you have some money to live on for a few months..or a year or so.... then you don't stand a chance. Sorry to burst your bubble but that is the stark truth.

Banburycross

Thank you for your reply.

Is that because Spain are in a recession like we are here?

I know that Banbury usually has loads of jobs but at the moment there is nothing at all and many people are out of work.

We are only looking for 2 or 3 days work each at the most.

Wendy

Mitzyboy

Its said that the recession will be worse here in Spain than the UK. Many people in the building trade have been layed off and are looking for work.

Lionda

I can't speak for the rest of Spain, only the part I am familiar with...that being the Benidorm area. There is no work, plain and simple. The streets of Benidorm are almost empty, bars are closing every day due to lack of customers. People I know who have lived here for years and have always been in employment are struggling to find work. Wages are low because...if you don't like it there are plenty of people after the same job.

Banburycross

Ok thanks.

Its not looking good then for Benidorm!!!! Its a shame but this is the area we are buying in because family live close by - although they only live in Benidorm 6 months of the year.

We are coming over in a week or so and plan to have a good look round then. Are there such things as "recruitment agencies" like they have in the UK?

Wendy

Fortaleza

When you look at simply figures then yes. But the Spanish have always been resourceful in bad times and although officially there are loads of people out of work (so they can claim benefits, some 70-odd% of the average of their last three pay cheques), they are alos NOT out of work, if you catch my drift.

There's plenty of work to ne found for those willing to do it, and for those willing to take a pay cut.

The high unemployment figures in Spain are not sole to do with the recession. There's a generational problem too. Not too many years ago, a man would accept whatever job was available to feed his family. Now, a bricklayer or painter for example will refuse a job as general labourer as a) it is not what he wants, and b) he sees it as a step down.

Lionda

Yes, near the indoor market, on the opposite side of the road and along a bit, not far away. You may be lucky, I hope you are. Maybe things will pick up a bit now the weather is better (22 degrees at the moment). Good luck

Mitzyboy

Wendy Im sorry if we sound negative, but if you take into consideration that in Feb unemployment was 3.48 million here, you begin to get the picture .... thats with a population of about 40 million. Building companies are closing down left right and centre, the holiday trade has dipped, and jobs go generally to Spanish first.
I'm not saying you wont get a job ..... but just be realistic about your chances

Banburycross

Thanks to you all for the info.

Yes we are prepared to work hard and will take what we can get!!!

Will have a look near the market - thanks

Banburycross

That's ok, we wanted realistic answers and that's what we got, so thank you for your honest replies.

Wendy

Lionda

Do you have a place to live when you get over?

Fortaleza

Mitz - come on!!! You've been in Spain long enough to know that there isn't anywhere near 3.48m out of work really, regardless of the official figures!!!!!!!!!

Banburycross

We will probably stay with family.

Wendy

PS - was the indoor market the one in the old town part of Benidorm you mean?

Lionda

No...Rincon de Loix area. Stand with your back to the indoor market, cross the road, turn left and it's along the road. I think there is a pasty shop (Cornish bakery) nearby.